Fatal Car Accidents Increase in Illinois Despite Stay-At-Home Order

 Posted on June 25,2020 in Car Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over 32,000 people are killed in auto accidents each year in the United States and approximately 2 million are injured. Although we rarely think about it, getting into a car is statistically one of the most dangerous things most people do on a daily basis. Due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, much of the country has been ordered to stay at home during the last few months. While many states saw a decrease in serious motor vehicle accidents during quarantine, Illinois surprisingly had more fatal auto accidents in March than in the months preceding the quarantine.  

Increases in Speeding and Reckless Driving 

For much of the beginning of 2020, most nonessential employees were furloughed and asked not to come into work. A large percentage of workers were also required to work from home. Restaurants, bars, and other businesses closed their doors to customers in an attempt to stop the spread of the pandemic. Since so many people were staying home due to the quarantine, most would expect the frequency of fatal auto accidents to decrease. Indeed, some states did see a major decrease in roadway deaths. For example, fatal auto accidents were down 32 percent in Hawaii and down 28 percent in Iowa. However, Illinois experienced an 11 percent increase in fatal traffic accidents in March of this year. The National Safety Council has speculated that although the roads are emptier, they are more deadly. This may be due to an increase in speeding, reckless driving, and violation of other traffic laws as a response to fewer cars on the road.

What To Do If You Have Lost a Loved One in a Fatal Car Accident

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you are likely unsure of what to do next. You may be burdened not only by your personal loss but also by significant financial stress. Your loved one may have required expensive emergency room treatment and hospitalization between the accident and his or her death. You may also be struggling without the financial support your loved one provided. If your loved one’s death was the result of a negligent driver, a wrongful death claim may help you recover compensation for your losses. You could be compensated for your loved one’s medical bills, funeral and burial costs, lost income, and more.

Contact a Lake County Wrongful Death Lawyer

Money can never make up for the tragic death of someone you loved. However, compensation awarded through a wrongful death lawsuit can help mitigate the financial ramifications of your loved one’s death. To learn more about wrongful death claims, contact Salvi & Maher, LLC. Call our office at 847-662-3303 today and schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable Waukegan car accident attorney from our firm.

Sources:

https://www.nsc.org/in-the-newsroom/motor-vehicle-fatality-rates-jump-14-in-march-despite-quarantines

https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html